Weekend of Wins for Karaka Graduates

Topping off an exceptional weekend of performances in Melbourne and New Zealand, graduates of the Karaka sale ring notched up 14 victories in Hong Kong and Singapore on Sunday evening.

Of the ten races scheduled at Hong Kong's Happy Valley seven were won by NZB graduates, with Tuscan Spirit (Chianti x Fortelo) spearheading the Kiwi onslaught with a victory in the HK Class 1 Cheung Hong Handicap (1200m).

The John Size trained gelding registered victory by a nose from Royal Flush while the son of O'Reilly and fellow Karaka graduate, Kildare, came home just over a length away for third.

Tuscan Spirit was a $40,000 purchase by Mr WJ Stretton from Hallmark Stud at the 2007 Festival Yearling Sale and has gone on to amass career earnings of $1,026,924.�

A 2008 Premier Yearling Sale purchase by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $210,000 from Brighthill Farm, Mark Up (Ishiguru x Wauwinet), took out the HK Class 3 Oi Man Handicap (1650m) later in the day at Happy Valley.

Owned by Fidelity Racing Syndicate, this was only the second start of the season for the Caspar Fownes trained gelding, with his previous effort resulting in a second place. The win confirmed that he has plenty of potential and Trainers' Premiership leader Fownes will be keen to hold that winning form throughout the season.

The same evening in Singapore emerging stayer Zac Missile (Yamanin Vital x Ranch) claimed the Mandai Classic S. (2200m), taking him a step closer to gaining a start in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup which is run over the same trip.

Trained by Michael Freedman, Zac Missile was a $20,000 purchase by Mr DR Wiles from Inglewood Stud at the 2008 Select Yearling Sale and, having won six of his 13 starts for owner Zac Stable, the four-year-old now has $281,529 in stakes earnings to his name.

Of the 11 race card at Kranji a further six races were won by Karaka graduates on Sunday in a strong showing of Kiwi talent.